Silver Spring Man Sentenced To 7 Years In Federal Prison For Two Armed Robberies

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm today sentenced William Thompson, age 27, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to seven years, and one day in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for interference with interstate commerce by robbery, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  Judge Grimm also ordered Thompson to pay restitution of $498.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department

According to his guilty plea, on August 9, 2019, Thompson robbed a convenience store in Silver Spring, Maryland, wearing a black mask, distinctive glasses, a jacket, and light colored gloves.  Throughout the robbery, which was captured on video surveillance, Thompson brandished a semi-automatic rifle.  Thompson pointed the rifle at a store employee and demanded money. Out of fear for his life, the employee gave Thompson approximately $98 of store funds.

The next day, August 10, 2019, Thompson used the same rifle to rob a market located in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Thompson pointed the rifle at the two store employees present and demanded money from the cash register.  In fear for their lives, the victims gave Thompson approximately $400 of store funds. Thompson then fled the store in a blue four-door Subaru sedan.

A little over three hours later, Thompson was involved in a traffic accident in the Subaru in Rockville, Maryland.  A search of the passenger compartment of Thompson’s vehicle led to the discovery of the black mask and gloves that Thompson had used in the robberies, as well a loaded black and gray handgun, in the center console. A search of Thompson’s trunk uncovered the loaded semi-automatic rifle that Thompson had used in the robberies. In addition, numerous additional magazines and hundreds of rounds ammunition were also located in Thompson’s vehicle.

A search warrant executed at Thompson’s residence uncovered more guns and ammunition, along with the jacket and shoes that the Defendant wore during the robberies.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended FBI and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden H. Walker, who prosecuted the case.

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